Road unkind to lowly Lions

Three consecutive road losses could be considered a hot streak for the Detroit Lions, who will enter Seahawks Stadium this afternoon bearing the weight of a 20-game losing streak away from home.

The last time the Lions won a road game was near the end of the 2000 season, when they edged the New York Jets 10-7 at Giants Stadium.

Only two teams have had longer streaks, including the NFL record of 23 that was set by the Houston Oilers from 1981-84.

"We're not going in with the attitude that we haven't won any road games," said cornerback Doug Evans, a former Seahawk. "We're going in with the attitude that we've won two in a row (overall), and want to keep that going."

The Lions (3-6) beat Oakland and Chicago in their past two games, both at home, but have still been unable to pull off a road win in almost three years. With Seattle (6-3), Minnesota (6-3), Kansas City (9-0) and Carolina (7-2) hosting Detroit over the next six weeks, the all-time record looks very attainable.

But the Lions aren't thinking in those terms.

"I don't care," quarterback Joey Harrington said of the losing streak. "I wasn't here when it started, and I'm going to be here when it ends. So I don't care."

The Seahawks have a streak of their own on the line, although it's nowhere near record-breaking proportions. Seattle has won its last six homes games, including all five this season. The home team has an all-time record of 7-5 at Seahawks Stadium.

"Our home crowd is really starting to get into the games, and we're starting to get that 12th man that we need," offensive lineman Chris Terry said.

This contest will mark the fourth consecutive Seahawks home game televised locally, as enough tickets were sold by Thursday's deadline to lift the league-mandated blackout. The large crowds have helped Seattle forge game-winning drives in each of their last four home games, but the attendance could have included an asterisk.

Home games against San Francisco, Chicago and Pittsburgh saw large fan contingencies rooting for the road teams. The opposing colors have been especially apparent behind the east sideline, where the visiting team stands during games.

Even though the Lions are struggling, that trend could continue this week.

Detroit quarterback Joey Harrington, a Portland native and University of Oregon product, has up to 2,000 people coming up by bus for the game.

Ex-Washington State University kicker Jason Hanson has about 40 or 50 people coming over from his hometown of Spokane to root on the Lions.

"(Harrington) pretty much wrapped up half the stadium, I think," Hanson said. "I didn't do that, but I've got all the important people coming over."



LIONS AT SEAHAWKS

Kickoff: 1:15 p.m.

TV: Ch. 13

Radio: KIRO (710 AM)

 Stars to watch

Seahawks: QB Matt Hasselbeck has a 7-7 touchdown-to-interception ratio over the past six games. RB Shaun Alexander needs three touchdowns to tie Chris Warren for third in franchise history. LB Anthony Simmons has a team-high 64 tackles as well as three interceptions and two sacks. SS Reggie Tongue is tied for the team lead with three interceptions, but hasn't had one since Week 3.

Lions: QB Joey Harrington threw six touchdown passes in the first four weeks, but has only three in the five weeks since. RB Shawn Bryson leads the Lions with 341 rushing yards and 31 receptions. MLB Earl Holmes, who visited the Seahawks during free agency, has a team-high 74 tackles. K Jason Hanson is 13 of 13 on field goals this year.

 Little-known fact

Mike Holmgren's debut as Seahawks coach came in a 28-20 loss to the Detroit Lions in 1999.

 Breaking it down

The case could be made that the Lions are "hot," seeing as though they are the first Seahawks opponent this month that doesn't enter the game with a losing streak.

But Detroit, which is coming off back-to-back wins over Oakland and Chicago, is on quite a skid. The Lions have lost 20 consecutive road games, with their last win away from home coming at the end of the 2000 season.

Chances are that streak will continue this week, although the Seahawks' performances against struggling teams would indicate that the Lions should keep things close.

On paper, however, the game should be one-sided. The Seahawks' offense has too many weapons, while the defense should have enough firepower to tame the Lions.

The pick: Seahawks, 34-13

-- Scott M. Johnson

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